Investment | Ryan Smith

Investing should be easy – just buy low and sell high – but most of us have trouble following that simple advice. There are principles and strategies that may enable you to put together an investment portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. Understanding these principles and strategies can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that snare some investors.

What Smart Investors Know

Savvy investors take the time to separate emotion from fact.

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5 Smart Investing Strategies

Getting what you want out of your money may require the right game plan.

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Bridging the Confidence Gap

In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.

A Primer on Dividends

A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends."

Global and International Funds

Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

Value vs. Growth Investing

Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

Risk Perspective

Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.

TIPS for Inflation

If you are concerned about inflation and expect short-term interest rates may increase, TIPS could be worth considering.

Global vs. International: What’s The Difference?

International funds invest in non-U.S. markets, while global funds may invest in U.S. stocks alongside non-U.S. stocks.

Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy

Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here’s a few to be mindful of.

How Stocks Work

Understanding how a stock works is key to understanding your investments.

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Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings

Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.

What Is the Dividend Yield?

This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

Impact of Taxes and Inflation

Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.

What Is My Risk Tolerance?

This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.

Contributing to an IRA?

Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.

Saving for College

This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

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5 Smart Investing Strategies

There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

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Behavioral Finance

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

The Real Cost of a Vacation Home

What if instead of buying that vacation home, you invested the money?

Jane Bond: Scaling the Ladder

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, uncovering the mystery of bond laddering.

What Can a Million Dollars Buy You?

$1 million in a diversified portfolio could help finance part of your retirement.

Jane Bond: Infiltrating the Market

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.